With Opened Bible
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.
"(Matthew 20.,16)
This Sunday's Gospel invites us to reflect on the concept of divine generosity. Throughout the Bible, this idea reveals the love and compassion of the God who creates, protects, saves, and above all, offers eternal life to all in Jesus.
In the Old Testament, this generosity is manifested through promises dependent on the covenant. He promises to make Abraham and his descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:2-3). In his relationship with Israel fleeing slavery in Egypt, he demonstrates his providence through the gift of manna and bread (Exodus 16:12-15).
In the New Testament, this generosity finds its expression in the gift of the Person of Christ the Savior. Spiritual blessings are offered to all believers (Ephesians 1:3). In Jesus, the providential God gives us everything without expecting anything in return. (Romans 8:32)
This Sunday's Gospel emphasizes this divine generosity through the parable of the laborers who entered His service at different times. This passage of Holy Scripture is none other than the rev-elation of the universal grace promised to all.
For Jesus (who represents the master who hires), all are called to serve Him, even when they do so at different times. God's service in this world will not be rewarded by the number of hours, days, or years spent, but by the quality of the service. The last will be first, and the first will be last. God's gift to faithful servants is eternal life, and this grace knows no bounds or distinctions.
